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FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 in Food...

LEGAL

FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 in Food and Drugs, Citing Cancer Links

FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 in Food and Drugs, Citing Cancer Links
The Silicon Review
16 January, 2025

While the dye is present in numerous candies, foods, and beverages, some companies have already phased it out.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a nationwide ban on red dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and ingested drugs, following decades of research linking the synthetic additive to cancer in animals. The decision, unveiled on Wednesday, comes more than 30 years after initial scientific findings raised concerns over the dye, chemically known as erythrosine. Advocacy groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Environmental Working Group, had petitioned for the ban in November 2022. California, which prohibited the dye in October 2023, set a precedent for the federal action. Red dye No. 3, derived from petroleum, is widely used to give foods and drinks a bright cherry-red color. Products containing the dye must be reformulated by January 15, 2027, for food and January 18, 2028, for ingested drugs. The regulation extends to imported goods, ensuring uniform compliance.

While the dye is present in numerous candies, foods, and beverages, some companies have already phased it out. Ferrara, the maker of Brach’s candies, reported that fewer than 10% of its products now contain the additive, thanks to efforts initiated in early 2023. Similarly, Just Born, the producer of PEEPS, ceased using red dye No. 3 after Easter 2024. Some manufacturers have turned to alternatives like red dye No. 40, considered less harmful. However, California banned red No. 40 in public schools in September due to links to behavioral and attention issues in children, as well as potential carcinogenic effects. Consumers concerned about red dye No. 3 can identify it on product labels as “red 3” or “FD&C Red #3.” Experts suggest minimizing ultraprocessed foods to avoid artificial dyes altogether. Advocacy groups also recommend avoiding all numbered dyes, including yellow No. 5 and red No. 40, for a healthier diet.

This move signals a significant step toward stricter regulations on artificial additives in the US food supply, with the FDA emphasizing consumer safety and public health.

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